Compact English Laurel Prunus laurocerasus 'Zabeliana'
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- PROO-nus lore-oh-SAIR-uh-sis
- This plant has high severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
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'Zabeliana' is a cultivar of P. laurocerasus, an evergreen shrub or small tree in the Roseaceae (rose) family native to Europe. 'Zabeliana' has narrow leaves and branches that angle up and out from the shrub base. It is bred for its ability to withstand cold winters, tolerate full sun, and to provide more resistance to disease and insect pests that most other species in the Prunus genus. However, it does not tolerate pruning as well as other Prunus species. It is on the small side, maturing to a height of 4 feet, has a narrow, willow-like form, and lusterous dark green leaves.
The plant does well in any well-drained or moist but well-drained soil in sun or shade. With proper management, it can be used as a hedge.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:
Susceptible to shot-hole disease, powdery mildew and root rot.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Prunus
- Species:
- laurocerasus
- Family:
- Roseaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Woody
- Wildlife Value:
- This is a larval host plant to Eastern Tiger Swallowtail (Papilio glaucus). Fruits are relished by birds.
- Play Value:
- Wildlife Food Source
- Edibility:
- The fruit is very bitter and inedible.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 5 ft. 0 in. - 6 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 6 ft. 0 in. - 8 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Perennial
- Poisonous
- Shrub
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Columnar
- Dense
- Horizontal
- Spreading
- Growth Rate:
- Rapid
- Texture:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight)
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- High Organic Matter
- Loam (Silt)
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Alkaline (>8.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Available Space To Plant:
- 6-feet-12 feet
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Black
- Red/Burgundy
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Summer
- Fruit Type:
- Drupe
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- Fruits are globose-ovoid, 1 inch berry-like drupes that are initially red, but turn purple-black in color.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Panicle
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- 3-6 inches
- Flower Description:
- Small white flowers on 3 to 4 inch erect panicles.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Glossy
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Elliptical
- Oblong
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Narrow willow-like, lustrous dark green leaves; 3 to 4 inches long.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- Yes
- Pith (Split Longitudinally):
- Continuous homogeneous
- Stem Description:
- Twigs are green and have a cherry odor when bruised. Pith is pale of brown and continuous. They have semi-circular stipular scars.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Theme:
- Pollinator Garden
- Design Feature:
- Hedge
- Screen/Privacy
- Attracts:
- Butterflies
- Songbirds
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Dry Soil
- Pollution
- Salt
- Problems:
- Problem for Cats
- Problem for Dogs
- Problem for Horses
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Poisonous to Humans:
- Poison Severity:
- High
- Poison Symptoms:
- Gasping, weakness, excitement, pupil dilation, spasms, convulsions, coma, respiratory failure Stems, leaves, seeds contain cyanide, particularly toxic in the process of wilting: brick red mucous membranes, panting, shock.
- Poison Toxic Principle:
- Cyanogenic glycoside, amygdalin
- Causes Contact Dermatitis:
- No
- Poison Part:
- Leaves
- Seeds
- Stems
